News from the Congregation October 2, 2020
‘Following Jesus After the Ecstasy Fades;’ ‘Harvesting Love and Gratitude’, Pathfinders - Sunday School, Prayer Requests, Sunday Programs ( 9:45 am - Vicar Visit, 10 am - Genesis Bible Study, 11 am - Worship Service, 12 pm - Coffee Half-Hour, 12:30 pm - ‘How to Be an Antiracist’ Book Discussion Session II) Weekday Programs (Morning and Evening Prayer, YESS Bible Study, Midweek Reflection - What is Church?, Compline, Friday Midday Prayer and Meditation)
Canon Lee
The English novelist E. M. Forster once wrote that ecstasy cannot last, but it can carve a channel for something lasting.
This is a helpful reminder, given the many strengths - and potential weaknesses - of worship in the Cathedral. The strengths are obvious: an awe-inspiring building that attracts believers, seekers and nonbelievers alike. World-class music. Sumptuous visual spectacle. A warm and inviting congregation. Especially for those new to the Cathedral, this combination can produce a thrilling religious high.
Unfortunately, religious highs inevitably fade. Even the most beautiful liturgies can become mundane. The warm and inviting congregation turns out to be made up of regular people, with regular problems and regular issues—just like people outside the Cathedral.
Forster’s quote reminds us, however, that the religious high serves a purpose. It brings us to the Cathedral, and introduces us to the worship of the living God and to a living community. It helps us Say Yes to Jesus.
The next step is counterintuitive, but important if we hope to follow Jesus along the Way and not turn back. If we hope to carve a channel for something lasting.
We must learn to walk the low road of religious life, not only scale the mountain pass. We must remember that the way of Jesus, as the Catholic priest Henri Nouwen observed, is the way of “hiddenness, powerlessness and littleness.” Not great crowds, great influence or great popularity. But “hiddenness, powerlessness and littleness.”
The Rev. Canon Steven Lee
Canon Pastor and Vicar
Marsha and Tim
Our Senior Warden, Marsha Ra, reflects on Harvest time:
Autumn is when most churches begin their stewardship campaigns. Saint Saviour is no different. Some of us prepared little videos to tell everyone why we personally give to the Congregation--what it means to us. This exercise, after months of comparative isolation in my apartment, became an opportunity for some reflection about the Congregation but also about life in general—its challenges, and its stages. There is no argument that I am in the autumn season. Is it harvest time for me? Yes, I think it is. What have I planted and what am I harvesting? What’s the crop? I’ll leave judgment on my plantings to God and to my friends. I can say that there has been a lot of prayer—today more than ever. We are, many of us older folk, in a quiet place with few interruptions. We have lots of time to read and reflect and to strengthen our connection with God. There are more opportunities to pray every day with other Episcopalians. I have come to the conclusion that I am harvesting two major crops-- love and gratitude, intertwined and pulsing with hope. It is a bountiful harvest.
I am mindful of one line from the book of Job that is certainly true for me: “The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.” He didn’t give me a thousand oxen, but he provided me with remarkable and loving friends. Friends call me out of the blue, friends that I can call when I’m distressed. Unlike Job’s “friends,” we do not try to figure out what we’ve done wrong. Rather, there is mutual support and caring. As we deal with losses, with health issues, with frustration over the state of our country, we encourage one another to stay the course, keep the faith, and find peace of mind.
Church work, a wonderful blessing, continues although I personally have less to do as our younger members step forward and take on so many challenges. They are gifted in the spirit as well as smart and creative. I am so grateful for all of them…for you! The Cathedral through its Dean and clergy, continues the work of bringing support to our neighbors and speaking out for a just society. Our church combines the important work of preaching the Word and showing Christ’s love. We of Saint Saviour’s join in this work as a congregation of believers, helping to sow the seeds of hope and love while harvesting a crop of spiritual sustenance. It is after all in giving that we receive.
May you enjoy many blessings in this harvest season.
Marsha and Tim
Pathfinders is the Sunday School program for children at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. If your family received registration forms in the mail, please return them as soon as you can.
Pathfinders encompasses Little Pilgrims (4-7 years), The Next Step (8-12 year) and The Great Adventure which is our Confirmation program (12 years and up). Pathfinders aims to help each child discover their own path on their great journey through life, offering guidance and support for what must, of necessity, be an individual pathway.
Because of the COVID-19 guidelines, our educational programs will be virtual this program year.
For further information about children’s educational programs at Saint John the Divine, contact our Vicar, the Rev. Steven Lee and our Director of Christian Education/Formation, Donna Devlin by clicking here.
THIS SUNDAY, October 4, 2020
(To access each program on Zoom, click the link in the title.)
9:45 AM - Visiting with the Vicar
Join the Vicar fifteen minutes before Bible study to say hello and check in with other members of the congregation.
10:00 AM - In the Beginning: A Study of Genesis
Join the Vicar for a study of the first book of the Bible. Discover Genesis, not as a collection of ancient mythological stories, but as the Word of God addressing our fundamental and deepest needs. This Sunday, we continue our study of Genesis 3, under the heading: "Equals, Not Complements (Part II)."
11:00 AM - Congregation Watch Party for Cathedral Worship Service
Watch the Cathedral worship service on Zoom with other members of the Congregation. As a way to maintain a prayerful atmosphere, we will be turning off Zoom chat for the duration of the service.
You can also watch the Cathedral Worship Service
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/StJohnDivineNYC
On the Cathedral website: http://www.stjohndivine.org
12:00 PM - Digital Coffee Half-Hour
Join us at this week’s Digital Coffee Hour to meet members of the congregation.
12:30 PM - Fall Book Discussion: How to Be An Antiracist
The Congregation is participating in the Diocesan-sponsored discussion of Ibram X. Kendi's highly-acclaimed book How to Be an Antiracist. Here is the diocesan program's official website, which includes an exhortation from Bishop Dietsche, details on where to purchase the book, how the programming will work, discussion questions, and a host of other related resources.
WEEKLY CATHEDRAL CONGREGATION PROGRAMS
Tuesdays | 6:30 PM - YESS Bible Study
The Young Episcopalians of Saint Saviour continue their Bible study of the Gospel of Matthew.
Wednesday | 7:30 PM - Midweek Reflection and Discussion
This fall, join the Vicar on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:15 PM for a time of reflection and discussion about what the Church is and how it can provide us with spiritual resilience in these difficult times.
Wednesdays | 8:30 PM - Congregation Compline
Friday | 12:15 PM - Midday Prayer and Meditation
Join the Vicar for a simple 15-minute prayer and meditation service on Fridays starting October 2. Stay afterwards to connect with the Vicar and others in the parish.
Reminder: you can find a directory of weekly programs with links to each program’s Zoom by clicking here.